PQTN

Power
Power Quality
Quality
BRIEF
Published by the EPRI Power Electronics Applications Center Brief No. 1 June 1992
Testing
Testing Network
Network

Harmonic Filter for Personal Computers:

Passive, Parallel-Connected Series Resonant
Background Large numbers of personal computers or similar electronic loads operating on a common branch
circuit can distort the source voltage waveshape. The power supplies used in most personal
computers (PCs) generate high levels of harmonic current. This is typically a diode rectifier with a
smoothing capacitor. In 3-phase power systems, PCs may overload the branch circuit wiring when
third harmonic current contributions from each phase add up in the neutral conductor.

Objective One way to reduce the distortion

Parallel connected
caused by PCs is to add a passive Resonant filter Rectifier + Capacitor Filter

harmonic filter. The objective was

to evaluate the performance of a Switch RL
connected passive filter designed Vac Mode
Power
for this purpose. The effects of Supply
the filter on harmonic current
distortion and its reactive power
demand on the power system were Variable Filter Variable
Source Under Test Load
also evaluated.

Units Tested The commercially-available Figure 1. Block Diagram of Test Setup

passive filter was designed to
reduce third harmonic current levels for one to three standard PCs when powered through the filter.
The filter was rated by the manufacturer at 6 A, 120 V, single-phase, 60 Hz. It was packaged in a 5.9
x 5.9 x 4.7-inch (2340 cc) metal enclosure and weighed 7.75 pounds (3.52 kg). In addition, a plug and
receptacle built into the filter unit facilitated user connection. A standard computer power supply
driving a variable resistor was used to conduct the tests. Figure 1 illustrates the test configuration.
The source voltage was provided by a special utility system simulator, which permits variation in
voltage level, frequency, and harmonic content. The harmonic filter was installed between the
variable utility and the power supply load.

Test Results Load lthd

The harmonic filter significantly improved the total harmonic distortion of the line current (lthd) by
reducing the third harmonic. Figure 2 illustrates harmonic distortion in the current and voltage
waveforms for both the filtered and unfiltered cases at 200 W. The filter reduced harmonic distortion
at all load levels. At 1 A loading, the filter reduced lthd from 135% to 24% of the fundamental current.
The degree of improvement was slightly less dramatic at higher load levels; lthd was reduced from
112% to 32% at 4 A.

Figure 3 shows the +10A +10A

Current (2A/Div.)

Current (2A/Div.)

filter’s frequency
response from both the
load and power source
sides. From the load
side, the filter is tuned to -10A -10A
carry the third harmonic +250V +250V
(180 Hz) current
Voltage (50V/Div.)

Voltage (80V/Div.)

required by the PC. In

effect, the third har-
monic is trapped
between the filter and -250V -250V
the PC load. From 200 Watts 200 Watts

Filtered Unfiltered
Figure 2. Waveforms
 PQTN BRIEF
the source side, the filter is detuned to a nonharmonic REACTIVE POWER DEMAND
frequency (150 Hz) to prevent it from being overloaded The shunt-connected filter changed the character of the
by harmonics in the supply voltage (Vthd). Above 5% reactive power demand in the test circuit. (See tutorial
supply voltage distortion, the filter must be derated on reactive power demand.) For the unfiltered PC
because of an increase in the reactive current attributed to load, the reactive power demand is primarily related to the
the distortion. (The current increased from 3.8 A at 5% to harmonic distortion components rather than to the
5.3 A at 16% Vthd.) fundamental component of the load current with lfund = .95
Iload. Although the true power factor of the PC under test
was 0.6 (238 W/396 VA), the PC load circuit appears to
50
exhibit a displacement power factor of unity if only the
fundamental load current is considered. The addition of
40
+
the passive filter compensates for most of the
nonfundamental reactive power demand and reduces the
Filter Impedance (ohms)

distortion component of the load current. However, this

30
current is higher (4 A), than necessary to power the PC
+
+ + (2 A), because the shunt branch of the filter draws large
20 + amounts of leading fundamental current. That is, the filter
+
+ shunt branch generates reactive power and, consequently,
+
10
+ the filter-PC combination exhibits a leading power
+
+ factor (0.6).
+
+
0
60 120 180 240 300 360 420
SUMMARY
The parallel-connected resonant filter effectively reduced
Source Frequency (Hz)
Zin with output open Zout with input open
the current harmonic distortion of a PC load and trapped
the load-generated third harmonic, while providing
Figure 3. Waveforms capacitive reactive power compensation beyond what is
Zin: The filter impedance measured from the input side filter (with required by the PC. With a 200 W load, the filter operated
output side open). Zout: The filter impedance measured from the without problems from 87% to 106% Vrms and from 1%
output side filter (with input side open). to 16% Vthd. The computer power supply functioned
normally throughout the tests.

TUTORIAL: “Reactive Power Demand” SIGNIFICANCE

in Nonsinusoidal Power Systems Given the growing number of PCs, harmonic distortion
generated by typical rectifier power supplies is expected
“Reactive Power” is a measure of the rate at which energy to increase, thereby increasing the need for filtering.
oscillates in a power system with no net gain or loss. It includes Tuned harmonic filters can help reduce current distortion
the out-of-phase (or quadrature) current components with and compensate for reactive power demand. The price of
respect to voltage at all frequencies. Although by definition
this type of filter may range from $100 to $200. Ulti-
reactive power is neither gained nor lost, its oscillation or transfer
in the power system will contribute to system losses resulting
mately, a more efficient and cost-effective solution may
from line losses, I 2 R. The transfer of reactive power will also involve redesigning the switch-mode power supply to
affect voltage regulation resulting from line voltage drop, reduce harmonic distortion.
I(R+jωL).
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
To reduce these effects, power engineers apply the concept of This work was sponsored by EPRI and was completed at
“reactive power compensation.” For power systems with the Power Quality Test Facility in Knoxville, Tennessee.
sinusoidal voltages and currents, compensation is achieved by
simply adding reactive components, i.e., capacitors and
inductors that correct the system power factor by supplying the
needed fundamental leading or lagging current. The passive For ordering information, call PEAC (423) 974-8288.
filter evaluated for this PQTN Brief is capacitive at the fundamen- For more information,
tal frequency and supplies reactive power to the system.
Because the filter contribution is greater than required by the PC contact HECO's Power
load, it is said to “overcompensate” the branch circuit. FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: at
Quality Engineers
Steve Rector, EPRI Knoxville, (423) 974-8307, or
In power systems with nonsinusoidal currents, e.g., feeding PC (808)
Gene Sitzlar, PEAC, (423) 543-4756
974-8288
loads, a passive filter can compensate the fundamental and The EPRI Power Electronics Applications Center
prominent harmonic frequency, but other frequency components 10521 Research Drive, Suite 400
will remain as a residual reactive power demand. An active filter Knoxville, TN 37932
is required to completely compensate for the fundamental,
harmonic, and residual reactive power demands in a nonlinear
Fax: (423) 974-8289
system. Power Quality Hotline: (800) 832-7322

REFERENCE
Alexander E. Emanuel, IEEE Transactions on Power Delivery, Printed on Recycled Paper
Vol. 5, No. 3, July 1990.
Copyright © 1992 Electric Power Research Institute